ASIA PACIFIC INBOUND
ASIA PACIFIC INBOUND TRENDING DESTINATIONS MALDIVES: AIRLINES STEP-UP FREQUENCIES FOLLOWING QATAR AIRWAYS BAN How could the recent crisis between Qatar and its neighbours also have a ripple effect on Maldives’ tourism? The Maldives are among the Muslim countries that decided to cut off diplomatic ties with Qatar last June. From January to May, tourism growth to the Maldives accelerated. The archipelago received 575,000 international travellers, up by 5.8% over the same period of 2016 with Europe’s market share reaching 50.8% of all arrivals. Until June, Qatar Airways flew twice a day from Doha to Male with an Airbus A330-300 offering, on average, a daily capacity of 500 to 600 seats. However, its market share remained small. According to the Maldives Civil Aviation, Qatar Airways transported 77,000 passengers in 2015, a market share of 5.1%. The airline remains far behind Emirates (280,000 passengers), Sri Lankan (273,000), Singapore Airlines (132,000) and two local carriers. New flights are, however, compensating Qatar’s departure. In July, Etihad increased weekly frequencies from 7 to 11; in August, Thai AirAsia launches a daily flight from Bangkok. This coming winter, Air France will inaugurate two weekly services from Paris, Alitalia will propose three flights/week from Rome while Aeroflot will increase its Moscow frequencies from 3 to 5 weekly services © Gzzz. A Trans Maldivian Airways floatplane to the north of Bathala island, Maldives
Hotel & Tourism SMARTreport #35 2017 Summer Edition 31 © Ahmed Rasheed Photography © Ahmed Rasheed Photography © Gzzz. South side of Filaidhoo island Deluxe Beach Villa interior A stunning new 4-star superior resort is set to open its doors in the Maldives in November 2017: the Reethi Faru Resort – meaning “beautiful reef”. This tiny island of Filaidhoo in the Maldives, situated in Raa Atoll, just 45-minutes’ flight from Male, is surrounded by the most stunning white beaches, coconut groves and lush vegetation. The island measures 600 x 350 m and its stunning house reef is just 30 to 80 metres from shore. Special attention has been paid to the design and location of each of the 150 villas to give visitors the perfect stay. From familyfriendly accommodations to perfectly situated romantic hideaways, visitors will find a fully serviced villa that meets their needs and desires. Set amid tropical vegetation on the east side of the island, the Reethi Faru Garden Villas are a collection of mostly detached 49m² bungalows. The Family Reethi Faru Garden Villas (126 m 2 ), are semi-detached and especially designed for families or groups of friends. The Deluxe Beach Villas (64m²) have a spacious sitting area that are ideal for couples. The exclusive beach-front Family Deluxe Beach Villas have a generous floor plan with 147m² and are situated directly on the beach. Detached Deluxe Jacuzzi Beach Villas (68m²) are spread along the southwestern facing beach. These villas make for the perfect romantic getaway and offer pure relaxation. The detached Water Villas sit on stilts over the lagoon are a real calling card of the Maldives. Enjoy spectacular views of the ocean and the peaceful surroundings with the natural sound of the waves lapping below. Two Water Villa Suites, with their 226m² floor plan, are built on stilts over the waters of the lagoon, enabling travellers to enjoy a holiday in the superlative. If visitors are taking a vacation with friends to celebrate a special occasion, the Water Villa Suites are unbeatable. Whether it’s on the beach, in one of the five gourmet restaurants or at one of the lively bars, guests will find the dining experience that meets their palate and mood. BEAUTIFUL REEF… BY NAME AND BY NATURE Exceptional new resort opening in the Maldives this November Sustainability is at the heart of all operations. Indeed, the management is dedicated to protecting the island’s beauty and the environment, through such initiatives as alternative energy production such as photovoltaics, heat exchangers, biogas production or a sensitive garbage policy SMARTreport Commercial Content
